Expert: D. Norkus - 5/5/2005

Question
hi there! i have just finished my high school and am 19 yrs old.the question i would like to ask is which is easy to learn or in short which test can i pass easly-a helicopter or an aeroplane n which pays more please do let me know as i'am am waiting to apply to one of them very soon.
regards,
immanuel.

Answer
Immanuel,

I cannot address the ease or difficulties of helicopter flyng, as I have never done any. As my profile states, I am an airline flyer who came up via the civilian sector and as such have no experience with helicopters.  

However, I can tell you that getting your helicopter license will easily cost two or three times what it will cost you to get your Private Pilot License in an airplane. Rotorcraft training is about $230 per hour, while fixed wing training is about $120.

Which one you should begin training in should be the craft in which you will use your license. What do you intend to do with a pilots license? Sight see or work towrds a job/carer? What you intend to do long term with your license will determine which route you chose.

People who get a rotorcraft license generally go into aerial tours, television news or air medivac/rescue type flying as helo flying for pleasure is too expensive but for all the extremely wealthy. People who get their PPL in an aircraft either inted to become leisure flyers or  to make a career our of airline or corporate flying.

How you intend to use your piloting skill or your career ambitions should be what determines which training you will take, not which is 'easier' to do.

As far as they pay issue, salary will depends entirely on what kind of flying you do and varies WILDLY from company to company even in the same equipment. If you are weighing a pro pilot career between the two, fixed wing large jets will pay much more over the long term. Airline pilot top out pay at most major carriers is $150K+/year. Even in the best paying rotorcraft job, you would be lucky to make half that.

Your question is somewhat vague, so to better address your needs you need to be a bit more specific about your aviation goals. Also, your location or where you intend to do your training will play a factor. I quote $USD as that is where I live. You signed your message "Regards", which is a very British thing to do. (Americans rarely use it to close a message.) Perhaps you live in the UK? If that is so, I can't address your flight training questions specifically, as the requirements for a JAA license ar difffent from the FAA and the cost is almost 4 times higher in Europe than it is the USA. If so, try the message boards at www.PPRUNE.org for info on fixed wing flying and careers.

Good luck

Dottie